The Life God Sanctifies: A Call to Surrender, Growth, and Grace

This past weekend, we concluded our journey through the book of 1 Thessalonians—a powerful letter from the Apostle Paul that calls the church to holiness, readiness, and unwavering faith. And what a journey it’s been. But even as we close one chapter, a new one is beginning. Next week, we launch into a brand-new series titled Clarify the Call—a word I believe God is leading us into for such a time as this. You won’t want to miss it.
Before we look ahead, though, let’s reflect on the message God had for us as we finished 1 Thessalonians: The Life God Sanctifies.

What Does It Mean to Be Sanctified?
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God molds us into the image of His Son. After He saves us—by grace through faith—He doesn't stop working. He begins transforming us. Bit by bit. Day by day. From the inside out.
It’s not about self-effort. You don’t sanctify yourself. God does the work. Our role is to posture ourselves before Him—humble, hungry, surrendered—so He can do what only He can do.

And Paul gives us five marks of the life God sanctifies in the final verses of his letter. Let’s take a deeper look.

1. It’s Marked by Spirit-Filled Joy
Paul begins:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16–18)

Want to know God’s will for your life? Start here. Rejoice—always. Pray—constantly. Give thanks—in everything.
Not for every circumstance, but in every circumstance. Whether you’re in a season of celebration or suffering, God is still sovereign. He’s still good. And He’s still working—for you, not against you.
Spirit-filled joy is not circumstantial—it’s theological. It flows from the deep assurance that God is on the throne and His purposes for your life will prevail.

2. It’s Tuned to God’s Voice

“Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” (vv. 19–22)

To live a sanctified life, we must remain sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings.
Sometimes God speaks through His Word. Sometimes He speaks through people. The key is to weigh everything against Scripture—and to obey when He speaks.
When you resist the Spirit, His voice grows fainter. But when you respond in faith, His voice becomes louder and clearer. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t ignore conviction. Tune your heart to God’s frequency—and walk in obedience.

3. It’s Yielded to God’s Ability

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely…” (v. 23)

Here’s the heart of it: Sanctification is God's work, not yours.
You can’t fix yourself. You can’t reform yourself. You can’t white-knuckle your way into holiness. But God can—and will—transform every part of you: spirit, soul, and body.
The only requirement? Surrender.
When you finally reach the end of yourself and say, “Lord, I can’t do this,” you’re right where He wants you. That’s when He steps in. And His sanctifying grace goes to work—chiseling away everything that doesn’t look like Jesus.

4. It’s Invested in Christ’s Body

“Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you…to have this letter read to all the brethren.” (vv. 25–27)

Sanctification doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community.
The Christian life is not a solo journey—it’s a family adventure. We need one another. We grow together. We correct one another, encourage one another, and spur one another on to love and good deeds.
This is why the local church matters. You cannot be the fullness of who God created you to be apart from the body of Christ. So plant yourself. Pray for others. Be known. Be involved.

5. It’s Anchored in God’s Grace

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (v. 28)

This is the final word—and the foundation of everything: grace.
You were saved by grace. You are sustained by grace. And you will be sanctified and glorified by that same grace. There’s never a moment in your life when you don’t need it.
Grace is your oxygen. Without it, you can’t breathe, let alone grow. So put your spiritual oxygen mask on daily. Trust God to meet you in your weakness and move you forward in your faith.

A Final Word
You don’t have to fix yourself. You don’t have to fake it. You don’t have to force growth.
You just have to posture yourself before the living God—who loves you, who saved you, and who promises to finish the good work He started in you.
Let the life you live be the life God sanctifies. Choose joy. Tune in. Surrender often. Stay rooted in the body. And never lose sight of the grace that carries you every step of the way.
Get ready—because next week we begin Clarify the Call. And I believe God’s going to do something fresh in your life.
Let’s go, BRAVE Church. The best is still ahead.